HSK 6 · VERSION 2.0#9

Expressing “As If” with “sìhū”

似乎

sìhū

How it works

似乎 (sìhū) means “it seems,” “as if,” or “apparently.” It expresses uncertainty, impression, or tentative judgment.

Compared with 好像 (hǎoxiàng), 似乎 (sìhū) is usually more formal, more written, and less colloquial.

他听完这个解释以后，脸上的表情似乎轻松了一些，但并没有立刻表态。

Tā tīng wán zhège jiěshì yǐhòu, liǎn shàng de biǎoqíng sìhū qīngsōng le yìxiē, dàn bìng méiyǒu lìkè biǎotài.

After hearing this explanation, the expression on his face seemed to relax a little, but he did not immediately state his position.

从目前掌握的材料来看，问题的真正原因似乎并不在表面现象本身。

Cóng mùqián zhǎngwò de cáiliào lái kàn, wèntí de zhēnzhèng yuányīn sìhū bìng bú zài biǎomiàn xiànxiàng běnshēn.

Judging from the materials currently available, the real cause of the problem seems not to lie in the surface phenomenon itself.

他虽然什么也没说，但态度似乎已经说明了一切。

Tā suīrán shénme yě méi shuō, dàn tàidu sìhū yǐjīng shuōmíng le yíqiè.

Although he said nothing, his attitude seemed to have explained everything.

似乎 (sìhū) is especially common in written analysis, description, and cautious reasoning.